TAUNTON — As policymakers work to expand access to early education in Massachusetts, a recent study predicts universal pre-kindergarten could cost up to $1.5 billion.

“When it comes to costs, the $1.5 billion projection for public school early education could be exaggerated, considering, for example, that Massachusetts already has pilot programs that are taking a look at the costs and benefits of public early education,” said state Sen. Marc Pacheco, D-Taunton. “The costs of universal pre-K through public schools certainly are a concern from a practical point of view, but the benefits, I believe, far outweigh the costs.”

He said an expansion would prompt economic gains “both immediate and longer-term.”

As the state tries to formulate a funding strategy, Taunton’s school administrators are considering several steps aimed at improving options for its youngest students.

“Having appropriate facilities to expand our program is the number one challenge for us,” said Taunton Schools Superintendent Julie Hackett. “Our long range plan includes the possible expansion of pre-k at the Leddy School site with a second story addition. We are also exploring other options that could allow for expansion in some of our existing sites.”

Only about one-third of 3- and 4-year-olds statewide receive public support to help fund their early education, according to the study, which the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center released in April.

“Early childhood education is the most promising educational reform that exists,” Hackett said. “It gives children the head start they need to be successful in school, and it provides the added benefit of an extra year of quality child care for working families who struggle to make ends meet.”

The study examines three main options for expanding access.

“The more education we can offer children, the better,” said state Rep. Shaunna O’Connell, R-Taunton. “Having said that, I think we need to ensure that full-day kindergarten is provided statewide first and work for smaller classroom sizes. Revenues have been over benchmark the past year and lottery revenue is at a peak. Our priority should be to send more local and school aid money back to cities and towns. We also need to continue to find savings. I have been an outspoken proponent of uncovering fraud and mismanagement in state spending in agencies such as the MBTA and in public assistance programs.”

The most expensive state funding route would be expanding the public school system to include full-day pre-kindergarten for the 105,500 Massachusetts children who currently receive no public assistance. That would cost an estimated $1.5 billion, according to the study.

“I think there are pluses and minuses to each of the options,” Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center director Noah Berger said. “There is a question of whether this should be about expanding access to lower-income kids or universal access.”

Page 2 of 3 - Another option presented in the report would call for the state to invest $153 million to double the subsidies available for private pre-school. That option would operate on a sliding scale for families earning less than 400 percent of the federal poverty level. Families would contribute a combined $288 million under that plan. Families living above the 400-percent threshold would not receive subsidies.

A third option would be a hybrid model to better integrate public and private pre-kindergarten programs.

“I support universal pre-kindergarten, but I also understand the financial challenges for the state,” Hackett said. “If state funding doesn’t exist to support universal pre-kindergarten, then a hybrid approach with public/private resources makes sense.”

The study did not provide a projected cost for that model.

Pacheco touted the benefits of a universal program for children. He referenced sections of the report that state, "participation in early education and care helps lay a foundation for success in school and in life. Many children who participate in early education and care have better academic outcomes later in their K-12 careers. They also have improved social outcomes, participating in the workforce at higher rates, earning more, and accessing other public benefits at lower rates.”

He also noted that parents could directly benefit, citing this section of the report:

“Early education and care makes it easier for parents to work, giving them the support they need to seek and keep jobs, to improve their economic circumstances, and to provide for their families. This kind of support has become even more important since welfare reforms of the mid-1990s, which encouraged welfare recipients to join the workforce.”

Tom Weber, commissioner of the state Department of Early Education and Care, said his favored approach is to expand upon a hybrid system of public, private and nonprofit providers.

“We already have existing capacity within that system,” Weber said. “You’d be leveraging a system already in place.”

He said he’d like to see expansion within all areas of that system, including public education.

The House Ways and Means budget, which was introduced April 9, calls for a $7.5 million increase in early education, which House leaders say will provide 1,250 new child care seats. Gov. Deval Patrick in January proposed spending roughly twice that amount, which he said would open an additional 1,700 seats.

Massachusetts currently has a waiting list of approximately 25,000 for financial assistance for early education and child care.

Early education, Weber said, provides a strong foundation to help children achieve at high levels throughout life.

“It has to be seen within the context of the enormous value we derive from making investments in public education,” he said.

Page 3 of 3 - State Rep. Alice Peisch, D-Wellesley, the House chair of the Joint Committee of Education, agreed that Massachusetts should work to increase early education access and quality.

“The Mass Budget and Policy Center’s report on early education was informative,” she said. “It is clear that Massachusetts has work to do in the field of early education and care and this report can help guide us. Early education and care is the foundation of our children’s success and we must find a way to not only open up access, but increase quality as well.”

Berger said he hopes the report will help shape policy discussions.

“I think both policymakers and advocators who care about these issues can benefit from a report that lays out what the current circumstances are and provides some options or pathways to expand access, as well as lay out some evidence of value,” Berger said. “The evidence out there is pretty strong that access to early education and care makes a difference in kids’ ability to do well in school.”

Pacheco said the challenges facing an expansion are familiar.

“We must always think carefully about how to phase in the costs of any system, to consider where the most challenges exist and then try to resolve those problems in the fairest way possible,” Pacheco said. “Obviously, funding for solutions such as universal pre-kindergarten are a question of budget priorities every year. I think it is important to have a public education system available that encompasses pre-kindergarten through higher education because education not only decides the future of our economy, but it is the mainstay in our society that provides opportunity for all people.”

Pacheco argues that the report was unable to account for some tangible benefits.

“The short-term and long-term economic benefits Mass Budget and Policy Center cites here do not even include the cost avoidances the Commonwealth could enjoy relative to prison spending, as increased pre-K educational spending would help get more children off to a healthy, productive start in life; children who have access to a solid educational foundation have a better chance of succeeding in our society,” Pacheco explained.

For local educators, the goal is to expand the learning experience to as many students as possible, as early as possible.

“Taunton Public Schools have typically offered a variety of programs to meet student needs, and some children attend our pre-k program for as few as two days a week,” Hackett said. “This is not ideal, and we would see the greatest gains if we could get pre-k students in full day programs five days a week.”

— Gerry Tuoti is the Regional Newsbank Editor for GateHouse Media New England. Email him at gtuoti@tauntongazette.com or call him at 508-967-3137. Rory Schuler is the Taunton Daily Gazette’s executive city editor.